Solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of St Albans City and District Council’s offices in St Peter’s Street last year have produced 9.416MWh of electricity, saving the Council more than £560 in fuel costs.

Since their installation in March last year, the 75 polycrystalline panels have produced energy equating to a saving of 5.348 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

The Council is also expecting to receive an annual payment of around £1,000 through the government’s Renewable Obligation Certificates incentive scheme, which rewards microgeneration schemes with cash.

Real-time information about the amount of electricity being produced by the panels and the carbon dioxide savings that are being made is displayed on a unit in the reception area of the council offices and is accessible to residents.

Cllr Geoff Churchard, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The solar panels are proving to be a real benefit, helping the Council reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions by producing electricity. They are just one example of the many steps that the Council is taking to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and is one that residents and local businesses can also follow. There are more than 70 actions in the Council’s Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change Action Plan.”

The Council is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment across all service areas and is introducing a range of measures to reduce energy use, transport emissions, consumption of resources and waste production. The Council’s Carbon Management Plan sets out a range of actions that it will implement to achieve its target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 25% in 2013 from a baseline year of 2006/7.